'I'm a kleptomaniac,' says woman who stole MBTA worker's bag

Nyllabrii Raikou charged with larceny

Published 12:03 PM EST Jan 05, 2013

BOSTON -

A self-admitted kleptomanic has been charged with larceny after Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police said she stole a worker’s bag and dumped it into the Fort Point Channel on Friday night.

Transit police said an MBTA employee was returning to his inspector’s booth on the Silver Line platform at South Station at about 10 p.m. when he saw the suspect, later identified as Nyllabrii Raikou, 20, of Boston, inside the booth.

The victim said Raikou exited the booth and walked away. Upon entering the booth, the victim said his personal bag containing his cellphone, MBTA radio battery and other items were gone.

Transit police were immediately notified and began chasing Raikou through South Station and onto Summer Street. As officers closed in on her, she allegedly tossed the victim's bag with all its contents into the Fort Point Channel.

Raikou was taken into custody and charged with larceny. She allegedly admitted to officers that she took the bag, saying, "I couldn't help it, I'm a kleptomaniac."

Raikou is expected to be arraigned Monday in Boston Municipal Court.

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